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Key dates for starting 2011 NFL season and key aspects of new CBA, according to Owners’ proposal

The NFL lockout isn’t officially over, but we’re right on the precipice. The owners approved the new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the players, and now all that’s left is for the players to ratify the agreement (hopefully it happens today, but we’re not holding our breath).

We’re close enough to getting back to football that the NFL released the terms of the new CBA to the media, and the key dates for starting the 2011. These dates are contingent upon the players ratifying the agreement today, but here is how the NFL sees the next couple of weeks unfolding:

Wednesday: League Year officially begins at 2 p.m. Teams can sign free agents, trade and cut players and expand rosters to 90 players (Dolphins currently have 68 players on their roster, including rookies and restricted/exclusive free agents).

Wednesday: Training camps open for all clubs. Day One limited to physicals, meetings and conditioning. No pads permitted until Day Four.

Aug. 9: Deadline for players under contract to report to camp to earn an accrued season for free agency.

Aug. 12: Dolphins first preseason game at Atlanta.

Aug. 30: Teams reduce rosters from 90 to 75.

Sept. 3: Teams reduce rosters to 53 players.

Sept. 12: Dolphins regular season opener vs. Patriots.

And here are some of the key terms of the new CBA, which will run through the 2020 season and include the 2021 draft:

Economics

* 2011 salary cap: $120.375 million for salaries and bonuses ($142.4 million when you include benefits such as healthcare). In 2011 and 2012, teams must spend 99 percent of the cap.

* Players will make at least 47 percent of all total revenues for the 10-year term of the agreement, down from about 50 percent.

* Beginning in 2012, players will receive 55 percent of national media revenue, 45 percent of NFL Ventures revenue and 40 percent of local club revenue.